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Waiting for a physio appointment

Posted By Pennymac

"Waiting for a physio appointment"

About: Biggart Hospital / Prosthetics/Orthotics University Hospital Ayr / Trauma & orthopaedics

(as a service user),

I injured my foot in April 2016 and saw my GP who didn't feel an x-ray was necessary and gave me a card with details of the MSK Centre in Ayr to self refer. The trauma to my foot eased for a while, swelling and bruising went away but the pain did not.

In June 2016 I contacted the MSK and completed a telephone questionnaire and was told an appointment would be sent.

Beginning of June 2017 I was contacted for an short notice appointment for the next day, which I could not accept as I away from home until Saturday. Another appointment was received a few days later, for the end of June 2017 which I attended.

I followed the physiotherapist advice but unfortunately my foot did not respond, indeed pain during the night increased. At the end of July I was referred to the Podiatry Dept at the MSK Centre and attended an appointment there today.

I have been given advice and insoles to wear and another appointment at the end of the month.

My point is simple. I am in my early 70s, still having foot pain, getting less physical activity and taking strong painkillers which affect my stomach.

I think this MSK self referral route needs sorting out I. e. accountability for it's existence.

It seems to me like a good idea gone wrong. If patients are no better and possibly worse when they do eventually get an appointment, I think the NHS has even more work in terms of time and money to do in the long run ..... never mind the quality of life of the patient.

I would say that I have had excellent treatment from the Physio Dept in Ayr in the past.

Managers and whoever decided on this system, look at again, I believe it just isn't working efficiently

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Responses

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 6 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 08/08/2017 at 11:30
Published on Care Opinion at 11:39

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear Pennymac'

I spoke to the head of this service and she has responded to your post below, I hope it is helpful to you

"Dear Pennymac

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the length of time you have waited for a MSK appointment. The waiting times are significantly above the standard expected and I recognise the impact this has on patients. I can let you know that the waiting times are reducing and recognise that work is still required to achieve an acceptable waiting time.

It is the high demand for MSK services that is causing the high waiting time and not the self referral system. The system gives patients the opportunity to refer directly into MSK services without the need to attend their GP and as waiting times reduce the service will provide more efficient access to MSK services.

I would like to assure you that we are doing everything we can to reduce these waiting times and our MSK physiotherapy staff are working hard to introduce ways to reduce the waiting times by looking at new ways of delivering effective care and support to patients; this includes classes for patients, and encouraging and supporting patients to self manage their conditions where appropriate. Also, following a successful bid to Scottish Government, MSK physiotherapists are piloting the development of services being delivered within GP practices, providing earlier intervention for patients and access to physiotherapy services if required.

The MSK services are preparing to undertake a full service redesign to provide the best service possible for all MSK patients, including access to MSK services within an acceptable time.

I am pleased to hear that you have in the past received excellent treatment from the physiotherapy department and hope that you will make good progress with the treatment you are receiving at the moment.

I hope this answers your concerns and would be happy to discuss them further, and you can contact me directly either by email or telephone calls.

Kind regards,

Elizabeth Quinn"

Physiotherapy Service Manager

Crosshouse Hospital

Tel: 01563 827197

Email: Elizabeth.quinn@aaaht.scot,.nhs.uk

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Pennymac (a service user)

Thank you for your prompt.

I am pleased to hear of the new proposals to MSK which I sincerely hope will benefit both staff and patients as soon as possible.

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